Young footballers on Ynys Môn are set to benefit from an exciting new partnership between Ynys Môn Football and Bangor 1876 Juniors as the latter are creating a Junior Section and Community Programme that will offer excellent opportunities to the island’s youth players.

As part of the legacy of last summer’s highly successful Huws Gray Ynys Môn 2019 Inter-Island Games tournament, the organisers have attempted to establish an FAW-accredited Academy on the island, and whilst those efforts are still ongoing, this new partnership will provide significant benefits for youngsters on the island as those plans continue to progress.

As well as establishing a Junior Section offering additional training opportunities, Bangor 1876 Juniors have developed a Community Programme which will see coaches go into numerous schools on the island to inspire players to take up football.

Until an FAW-accredited academy is established on the island, the funds raised at last year’s Inter-Games tournament will be used to support youngsters on the island attend the Bangor 1876 programme and cover any associated costs they may have. Details will be finalised with Bangor 1876.

Huws Gray Ynys Môn 2019 Organiser Gareth Parry said:

“We are delighted that Bangor 1876 have put together an exciting youth development plan and innovative Community Programme that will be of great benefit to countless Ynys Môn youngsters. We couldn’t wait any longer to help support youngsters on the island so this partnership is very timely.

“For two years we have worked tirelessly to try and establish an FAW-accredited Academy on Ynys Môn, acting with a number of stakeholders to realise this dream. We have not been successful yet, due to issues relating to finance and meeting FAW licensing criteria with a Tier Two club, but we are not giving up and are committed to making this happen in the future.
“Bangor 1876’s initiatives will provide fantastic opportunities for Ynys-Môn-based players within their set-up, whilst enabling them to continue playing for their local teams on the island. They will also embark on a Community Programme, working with a number of schools on the island to recruit players and encourage them to be healthier and more active through football.

“I would like to place on record my thanks to Peter Davies at Llangefni Town FC for his efforts and commitment to making an Academy on the island a reality, and everyone else who attended the open meetings and engaged with us during the process, and we will continue to work with all stakeholders to attempt to achieve this for the island’s young people in the future.”

Ynys Môn Men’s Football Manager and Bangor 1876 Director of Football Iwan Williams added:

“What we saw during last summer's Inter-Island Games Tournament was absolutely incredible. From the staggering performances on the pitch to the superb support and hard work by countless volunteers off it, it was one of the most inspirational experiences in our island’s recent history.

“We’ve always said we wanted to leave a lasting legacy for the young people of the island, and the new junior section and community programme we’re creating at Bangor 1876 will provide the best opportunities for our island’s aspiring footballers.

“I am grateful for the work Llangefni Town have done in their own efforts to establish a fully-fledged academy on the island. I know they’re disappointed that their plans haven’t come to fruition yet, but I wish them every success in the future – the more opportunities we can provide for our island’s youth, the better their future will be.”

Llangefni Town FC’s Peter Davies said:

“I am pleased that Bangor 1876 have been able to put together an offering that will surely be of significant benefit to the aspiring footballers of Ynys Môn. Having the Ynys Môn Men’s Manager heavily involved in Bangor’s plans too is very encouraging and shows that the needs of our island will remain central to their plans.

“It is disappointing that, despite our very best efforts over an extended period of time, we haven’t been able to complete our plans to develop an academy for the island at Llangefni Town FC due to a lack of finance, but we will continue to explore every possibility to complete our plans in the future and wish 1876 every success in their endeavours to provide excellent opportunities for our island’s youth.”